Road & Pathway Construction Projects for 2011

Speed limit will be reduced to 45mph on Hwy 89 from south boundary to Moose Jct. for next 5 months

May 16, 2011

11-33

Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott announced today that road and pathway construction projects will be underway at various locations throughout the park, resulting in reduced speed limits and minor traffic delays for much of the 2011 summer season. Travelers are advised to call the road conditions line at 307.739.3614 for current and specific information. The park’s newspaper, Grand Teton Guide, includes a road construction map for further reference and can be picked up at any park entrance station or visitor center or found online at www.nps.gov/grte.

NOTE: Because of the several delays that may be encountered, motorists are encouraged to plan for extra travel time to reach their destinations.

On June1st, construction will start on the multi-use pathway that runs from the Gros Ventre River to Moose Junction. As a result, the SPEED LIMIT ON HIGHWAY 26/89/191 will be REDUCED to 45 MPH from the park’s south boundary near Fish Hatchery Hill to Moose Junction. The speed limit change is necessary to provide an added measure of safety during pathway construction and to accommodate trucks and other equipment accessing the highway from numerous locations and working adjacent to this eight-mile stretch of road. The speed limit reduction is likely to be in place for five to six months until construction is complete.NOTE: Sleeping Indian turnout will be closed all summer while it functions as a construction equipment and materials staging area.

In addition to the reduce speed limit, work on phase two of the pathway system includes construction of an underpass at Moose Junction. Consequently, starting August 15th, motorists should expect 15-minute delays at this intersection between Highway 26/89/191 and the Teton Park Road.

On July 5th, work will resume on Pacific Creek Road, which leads to Two Ocean Lake, Teton Wilderness and the Pacific Creek subdivision area. A major stabilization and roadway widening project began last year and should be completed by mid-August, 2011. This project will require 30-minute delays. It may also require mid-day closures during the week (Monday-Friday). If closures are necessary, the public and residents of the Pacific Creek area will be given a seven-day advance notice.

From September 6th through early November, a project to repave and stabilize slopes is scheduled for the North Park Road between Jackson Lake Lodge and Flagg Ranch Resort. This project will involve delays of up to 30 minutes. NOTE: Total travel delays between Jackson Lake Junction and Flagg Ranch Resort should not exceed 30 minutes; however, motorists should plan extra travel time to reach their destination.

Beginning September 6th, a protective sealant and new striping will be applied to the pathway that runs from the bridge at Moose to South Jenny Lake. Pathway segments of one to two miles in length will be closed for sealant work. Closures will occur incrementally along the entire length of the eight-mile-long pathway and each closure will last for three days at a time. Bicyclists will need to detour onto the Teton Park Road to avoid these incremental closures.

On October 1st, work will begin at the Buffalo Fork bridge area on Highway 26/89/191, a quarter mile south of Moran Junction. This bridge and roadway project will require 30-minute travel delays through November while bank stabilization is completed near the confluence of the Snake River and Buffalo Fork.

Several other road construction projects are planned for upcoming summer months, and each will involve 15-minute delays in traffic. These projects include: routine striping projects on all park roads during the month of June and July; an asphalt overlay on the road to the Teton Science Schools’ Kelly Campus during mid July; a culvert repair project on Ditch Creek Road with access to the Bridger-Teton National Forest; and a resurface/gravel application on the Grassy Lake Road from June through October that will require 15-minutes delays in travel.

Efforts will be made to minimize any inconvenience to drivers using park roads, however, traffic will be held up for short periods of time as road improvement work is underway. These road construction projects are necessary to improve safety, as well as provide routine maintenance, for the many vehicles that use park roads throughout the year.
Roadwork schedules may change or be delayed due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.